Faculty
John D. Rugh, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Orthodontics
University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio
Dental School
E-Mail: rugh@uthscsa.edu
Office: 4.555U
Phone: (210) 567-3500
John D. Rugh, PhD, is Professor and Chair of Orthodontics Department. His research has focused on psychological aspects of facial pain (Temporomandibular Disorders), bruxism and the biobehavioral aspects of orthognathic surgery and aging. He has expertise in multicenter randomized clinical trials and science transfer. Dr. Rugh founded and has served as Director of the University of Texas Health Science Center's Facial Pain Clinic since 1977. Dr. Rugh served as President of the Neuroscience Section of the International Association for Dental Research and the Biofeedback Society of America. From 1982-1986, Dr. Rugh served as a member of the National Institute of Health's Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section. In 1989, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association for Dental Research. Dr. Rugh served as President of the American Association for Dental Research; and in 1995, he accepted a four-year term on the National Institute for Dental Research's Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Rugh is an Honorary member of the American Dental Association and several other dental professional organizations. In 2002, he received the International Association for Dental Research & Distinguished Scientist award. He was selected for Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 2007.
Dr. Rugh has 30 years of clinical research experience. His experiences range from single subject and case series studies to large scale multicenter randomized clinical trials. He served as PI on one of the NIDCR's large multicenter clinical trials comparing wire vs. rigid fixation in mandibular advancement surgery. This ten-year clinical trial involved the coordination of 18 surgeons, examiners, and data management personnel at three sights (San Antonio, Gainsville, and Atlanta). His research has involved studies exploring the pathophysiology of dental conditions, as well as studies clarifying the mechanisms of therapeutic effects. These investigations have involved over 40 IRB protocols and 70 clinical investigators have resulted in 17 book chapters and over 300 published articles and abstracts.
As Director of Research for the Dental School at San Antonio (1991-1997), he established multiple Faculty Research Development Programs and an NIH-funded Student Research Training Program. More recently, as Chair of the Orthodontic Department, he provided the leadership to establish the Dental School's Orthodontic Residency Program.
Dr. Rugh’s current research interest is in scientific transfer and diffusion of Innovation. He is establishing a school-wide comprehensive Evidence-Based Practice Program and an Academic Detailing Program. This research is supported by a four-year NIH R25 Education Research Grant to implement and evaluate this innovative educational initiative.
Education and Training
1968: B.A. Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California
1975: Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California
1973-1977: Post-Doc, Experimental Psychology, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, California
Professional Experiences
1977-1980: Assistant Professor, Restorative Dentistry and Psychiatry, UTHSC-SA
1980-1982: Associate Professor, Restorative Dentistry and Psychiatry, UTHSC-SA
1982-1984: Associate Professor and Director of Research, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, UTHSC-SA
1983-1984: Associate Professor and Acting Chairman, Community Dentistry, UTHSC-SA
1985-1990: Professor & Director of Research, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, UTHSC-SA
1991-1997: Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Director of Research for the Dental School, UTHSC-SA
1996-Present: Chair, Department of Orthodontics, UTHSC-SA
Honors
1983 - Canadian Medical Research Council, Visiting Professor
1982 - Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society
1982-1985 - National Institutes of Health, Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section (Member 1982-85)
1987-1988 - President, Neuroscience Section, International Association for Dental Research
1989-1990 - Board of Directors, American Association for Dental Research
1994-1995 - President, American Association for Dental Research
1995 - Honorary Member, American Dental Association
1995-1998 - National Institutes of Health, National Advisory Dental Research Council (Member 1995-98)
1996-1997 - Selected as Harald Loe Scholar
2002 - IADR, Behavioral Sciences & Health Sciences Research Distinguished Scientist Award
2007 – Honorary Fellowship, American College of Dentists